The Amalfi Coast, located in the southern Italy, is one of the most beautiful parts of the Tyrrhenian Sea shore, impressing through its spectacular landscapes and its cities filled with history. Beyond the stunning panoramas scattered throughout this region, Costiera Amalfitana (as it is called in Italian) impresses us with both the architectural and artistic masterpieces that can be seen in several cities in the area, as well as with the ingenuity of the locals, who have built houses on the steep coast. The beauty of this region has been also recognized by UNESCO, which included the Amalfi Coast on the World Heritage List, in 1997.
The Amalfi Coast, along with the Capri Island, which is located near the Sorrentine Peninsula, is one of the most popular regions among tourists worldwide. From the countless artistic monuments which last for centuries, to the wonders of the ancient world, the spectacular sceneries, the welcoming beaches and, of course, the world famous Mediterranean cuisine, this area in the Campania region is an essential destination for any traveler.
The Amalfi Cathedral, built in the ninth century, represents the most important monument of the town and it keeps countless treasures of a thousand years old. The bronze gates were made in Constantinople around 1000, being the oldest gates of any church in Italy.
The Amalfi Coast is the region that defines best the Italian expression 'dolce far niente' (in translation: pleasant idleness/sweet doing nothing). If when you choose the Amalfi Coast as a holiday destination you plan to sit on a fine sandy beach with a cocktail in your hands, then you should look for another location. But if you want an adventure worthy of the Italian films of the '50s, then the Costiera Amalfitana is the best choice for you.
During the summer, Amalfi is the capital of entertainment, because all kinds of events take place here, events that won't let you get bored not even for a second. And if you're planning a holiday out of season, stay calm, the mild climate, the beautiful scenery and the long walks will give you unforgettable moments. The historic centre of the Amalfi town is considered an open-air museum – with towers, churches old from centuries, monasteries and chapels, houses with high walls, all being evidence of a medieval past and of a historical importance of the Amalfi town.
If you get to visit the Amalfi Coast, you really have to visit Pompeii, the city buried under the Vesuvius volcano eruption, probably the best known archaeological site in the world. Its destruction drama attracts millions of tourists annually. You can visit the gladiator's barracks, the brothel, Terme del Foro, the old grain market (Gran del Foro), the temple of Jupiter, Isis or the temple of Apollo.